July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around Kirkland

KIRKLAND, WA — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Kirkland. Area events include fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Kirkland and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade 2024
Where: Kirkland
When: Thursday, July 4 - 10:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.

What: Lake Sammamish July 4th Fireworks Show 2024 at Vasa Park
Where: Bellevue
When: Thursday, July 4 - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

What: 4th of July Fireworks 2024: Bellevue Family 4th
Where: Bellevue
When: Thursday, July 4 - 5 p.m. to approximately 11 p.m.

What: 2024 Seafair July 4th Brought To You By Amazon: Seattle
Where: Seattle
When: Thursday, July 4 - 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

What: West Seattle July 4th Kids’ Parade 2024
Where: Seattle
When: Thursday, July 4 - 10 a.m. to noon

What: July 4th on the Plateau 2024: Sammamish
Where: Sammamish
When: Thursday, July 4 - 5 p.m. to approximately 10:30 p.m.

What: Down Home 4th of July 2024: Issaquah
Where: Issaquah
When: Thursday, July 4 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What: 3rd of July 2024 Family Celebration: Montlake Terrace
Where: Montlake Terrace
When: Wednesday, July 3 - 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

What: Red, White & Blues July 4 Festival 2024: Federal Way
Where: Federal Way
When: Thursday, July 4 - 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

What: July 4 Tacoma Summer Blast 2024
Where: Tacoma
When: Thursday, July 4 - noon to 10:30 p.m.

Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.